Scranton, Pennsylvania Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Scranton, Pennsylvania had a total population of 76,033, the 7th largest city in Pennsylvania, with a median household income of $50,739, which is 35% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 23.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 35% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Scranton Quick Facts
How Scranton Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 76,074 | 76,033 | -0.1% |
| Median household income | $49,531 | $50,739 | +2.4% |
| Median home value | $141,700 | $158,100 | +11.6% |
How Scranton Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Scranton Rankings in Pennsylvania
Explore Pennsylvania Rankings
Other Cities in Lackawanna County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dunmore | 14,181 | $71,302 | 12.0% | $196,100 |
| Carbondale | 8,789 | $47,716 | 26.4% | $132,200 |
| Old Forge | 8,573 | $71,812 | 7.4% | $174,400 |
| Archbald | 7,404 | $71,936 | 8.2% | $217,000 |
| Blakely | 6,662 | $55,855 | 9.0% | $198,300 |
| Taylor | 6,265 | $71,599 | 11.4% | $182,500 |
| Dickson City | 6,023 | $59,963 | 13.1% | $192,300 |
| Moosic | 5,973 | $80,187 | 7.2% | $250,900 |
| Olyphant | 5,381 | $66,423 | 8.8% | $160,900 |
| Clarks Summit | 5,073 | $92,083 | 4.6% | $234,900 |
Cities Similar to Scranton
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bethlehem | 77,956 | $68,879 | $260,400 | 36.0% | 15.7% |
| Erie | 93,850 | $46,113 | $115,200 | 23.1% | 23.3% |
| Reading | 95,242 | $44,091 | $121,300 | 11.4% | 28.7% |
| Lancaster | 57,719 | $63,690 | $219,500 | 29.4% | 20.3% |
| Harrisburg | 50,287 | $48,099 | $124,200 | 25.9% | 30.5% |
Population Overview
Scranton is a mid-sized community located in Pennsylvania, within Lackawanna County. The total population is 76,033. It ranks as the 7th most populous out of 1,991 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania.
Age Demographics
The median age in Scranton is 37.2 years. This is 9% lower than the state median of 40.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Scranton is $50,739. This is 35% lower than the state median of $77,971. It is also 37% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 23.0%. This is 96% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.7%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 5.4%. This is 3% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $158,100. Housing costs are 38% lower than the state median of $254,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x. 49.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 28% lower than the state average of 69.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Scranton is White (non-Hispanic), making up 64.9% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 17.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (17.9% vs 8.7%).
Education
23.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 34% lower than the state rate of 35.2%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 86.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Scranton, Pennsylvania is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Pennsylvania state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,991 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Scranton, Pennsylvania?
Scranton, Pennsylvania has a population of 76,033 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Scranton, PA?
The median household income in Scranton is $50,739, which is 37% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Scranton, PA?
The poverty rate in Scranton is 23.0%. This means approximately 16,211 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Scranton, Pennsylvania?
Scranton's population is 64.9% White, 6.6% Black, 17.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 5.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Scranton, PA?
The median home value in Scranton is $158,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x.
How educated is Scranton, Pennsylvania?
23.1% of adults (25+) in Scranton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.